StallStrip, we can discuss your opinion of me next time you're sitting in the RHS beside me, if I'm ever lucky enough to have your whiny self on my flight.
Saccade, you're absolutely right, the fuel missile is firmly locked onto ryanair right now. Those rules are not negotiable. What is different at ryanair is the way that lowering of standards is the answer to shortages.
Ballsout, I'm glad to hear you fly with excellent pilots all the time. One can only hope this apparently new idea of recruiting only the best (as opposed to the cheapest) is continued. However, as ryanair were only attracting those who couldn't find a job anywhere else in the last few years, there remains significant quality issues.
And BTW, tight SOP's and constant memo's which attempt to iron out all forms of airmanship are no substitute for ability. You shouldn't confuse the ability to be word perfect at SOP's for the ability to be able to deal with the situation when the merde meets the fan. Hence all the near hull losses in the last few years.